Walk-on Herndon earns scholarship at Florida

UF running back Mark Herndon hugs Florida mascot Albert after the the Gators' 27-20 come-from-behind win against Louisiana Lafayette at The Swamp on Nov. 10, 2012.

Doug Finger/Staff photographer

By Robbie AndreuStaff writer

Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

Former Ocala Forest running back Mark Herndon says he's not usually an emotional guy and is rarely moved to tears.

But Herndon said he couldn't help himself Tuesday. The walk-on burst into tears when Florida coach Will Muschamp announced in front of the team after practice that Herndon had been awarded a scholarship.

“When I first got here, Coach Muschamp told me it's two years until you get a scholarship,” said Herndon, a sophomore. “I wasn't expecting it. It threw me way off. It was like a dream. My mouth just dropped.

“It brought tears to my eyes. (Running backs) coach (Brian) White cried with me. That was big. It makes me feel like he really cares about us. I can feel that. It was just really emotional for me.

“I usually don't cry, but that was enough to do it.”

Fifth-year senior defensive back Tim Clark, who is from Branford, also was awarded a scholarship Tuesday. Clark, a walk-on, was also put on scholarship the past two seasons.

“It's just a surprise and a blessing,” he said. “When I decided to come back for my fifth year, I was hoping they would renew it. Coach Muschamp talked about how he was a walk-on at Georgia and this really brings him a lot of pleasure.”

Clark said he was happy for Herndon, a close friend on the team.

“There is no one more deserving than Mark,” Clark said. “He's a great kid, a humble kid, a God-honoring kid. No one deserves it more than Mark.”

<p>Former Ocala Forest running back Mark Herndon says he's not usually an emotional guy and is rarely moved to tears.</p><p>But Herndon said he couldn't help himself Tuesday. The walk-on burst into tears when Florida coach Will Muschamp announced in front of the team after practice that Herndon had been awarded a scholarship.</p><p>“When I first got here, Coach Muschamp told me it's two years until you get a scholarship,” said Herndon, a sophomore. “I wasn't expecting it. It threw me way off. It was like a dream. My mouth just dropped.</p><p>“It brought tears to my eyes. (Running backs) coach (Brian) White cried with me. That was big. It makes me feel like he really cares about us. I can feel that. It was just really emotional for me.</p><p>“I usually don't cry, but that was enough to do it.”</p><p>Fifth-year senior defensive back Tim Clark, who is from Branford, also was awarded a scholarship Tuesday. Clark, a walk-on, was also put on scholarship the past two seasons.</p><p>“It's just a surprise and a blessing,” he said. “When I decided to come back for my fifth year, I was hoping they would renew it. Coach Muschamp talked about how he was a walk-on at Georgia and this really brings him a lot of pleasure.”</p><p>Clark said he was happy for Herndon, a close friend on the team.</p><p>“There is no one more deserving than Mark,” Clark said. “He's a great kid, a humble kid, a God-honoring kid. No one deserves it more than Mark.”</p>